‘We’re guilty’: Tamale court convicts five carjackers

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A circuit court in Tamale has convicted five out of six suspects said to have robbed a victim of his vehicle. This was after they pleaded guilty to the charges brought against them.

The suspects were charged with conspiracy to rob and robbery, possession of firearms and ammunition without lawful authority, and the possession of police and military uniforms and other accoutrements.

According to the brother of the victim, five armed men stormed the victim’s house this past weekend and threatened to kill him unless he handed over the keys and documentation to his car.

One of the suspects, a teacher, who is said to be an informant to the robbery gang, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Acting Regional Public Relations Officer for the Northern Regional Police Command, Superintendent Bernard Baba Ananga, said police are still searching for three other suspects involved in the robbery.

“For those who pleaded guilty, the court adjourned to this Friday for further proceedings. Meanwhile, the court committed them and by Friday, the court will come out with its decision,” Superintendent Ananga said.

Suspect not a soldier

The arrest of these suspects sparked a conversation social media regarding the identity of one of them in military uniform.

The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) in a statement refuted claims that there was a military officer involved in the robbery incident.

Police reports indicated that the five suspects, including a man wearing a military camouflage uniform, were arrested for snatching a 2012 Toyota Camry vehicle from its owner at gunpoint.

The police also retrieved a G3 rifle and a pistol, military uniforms, and voter ID cards.

But reacting to the matter, the Acting Director of Public Relations of the Ghana Armed Forces, Commander Andy La- Anyane, clarified that the suspect is not a soldier of the Ghana Armed Forces, and expressed worry about the increasing spate of impersonation by civilians.

“The attention of the Ghana Armed Forces has been drawn to several videos and pictures on various social media platforms of the arrest of a car snatching syndicate at Buipe alleged to have attacked and snatched a car from a victim at Tamale. In the said videos and pictures, one of the suspects is seen wearing a military camouflage uniform and has been described variously as a soldier of the Ghana Armed Forces.”

“We wish to state categorically that the suspect is not a soldier of the Ghana Armed Forces. The Armed Forces is worried about the rising spate of impersonation by civilians, either wearing military uniforms or posting of fake pictures of themselves as military officers to defraud unsuspecting Ghanaians.”

Commander Andy La- Anyane pinned the trend on the unauthorized sale of military uniforms and military pattern gadgets by some vendors, saying such action is inimical to national security.

The Ghana Armed Forces also assured of collaboration with the Ghana Police Service to unravel the source of the military uniforms in the incident and also stop the unauthorized sale of military uniforms across the country.

“Ghanaians should be confident to provide information to the security agencies in order to nip this trend in the bud.”

It further advised the public to be circumspect in dealing with persons who pose as military personnel.

“Please contact the Directorate of Public Relations on 0544338030 when in doubt.”

SOURCE: DAILY MAIL GH and News Agencies